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Job outlook for psychologist research assistants in the United States
Psychologist research assistant job and salary trends over time
Psychologist research assistant jobs over time
Psychologist research assistant job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3 | 0.00% |
Average psychologist research assistant salary over time
Psychologist research assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,053 | $30.79 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $61,840 | $29.73 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $60,708 | $29.19 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | $59,875 | $28.79 | +6.5% |
| 2021 | $56,217 | $27.03 | +1.7% |
Psychologist research assistant jobs by state
Most common states for psychologist research assistants
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 117 | 17% |
| 2 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 629 | 15% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 946 | 14% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 187 | 14% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 152 | 14% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 131 | 14% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 90 | 14% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 705 | 13% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 682 | 12% |
| 10 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,368 | 11% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,401 | 11% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 217 | 11% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 98 | 11% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 62 | 11% |
| 15 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,257 | 10% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 924 | 10% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 207 | 10% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 105 | 10% |
| 19 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 560 | 9% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 314 | 9% |
Psychologist Research Assistant job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of psychologist research assistant experts
University of Texas at Austin
Fairfield University
James Madison University
Seattle University
University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Denison University
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Eastern Washington University
University of Pittsburgh
The University of New Mexico
Adelphi University
Kansas State University
Swarthmore College
Azusa Pacific University
North Central College
Adelphi University
What will help Psychologist Research Assistants increase their earning potential?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: I think it is important for graduates to look at projections on the Bureau of Labor Statistics
website and to conduct general research on the state of certain industries at the time of
graduation. For instance, the tech industry is currently very saturated; some people who started
positions as user experience researchers just a few years ago were laid off. Individuals who have
years of experience in these positions will then have an advantage in securing new positions.
That being said, I believe that quantitative research skills in particular are advantageous for many
positions. This includes attaining coding skills and learning coding languages such as Python, R,
and Java.
In addition to the tech industry, the higher education market for individuals with a Master's
degree or PhD in sociology for tenure-track, full-time assistant professor positions in sociology
proves to remain highly competitive, as there are far more graduates than full-time positions.
That being said, some Master's programs emphasize an applied focus that prepares students for a
variety of research and evaluation positions.
In relation to research skills focused on data collection and analysis, sociology majors develop
writing and presentation skills that are crucial to success in any field. Also, the major's emphasis
on a critical global perspective along with cultural humility, cultural competence, empathy, and
overall interpersonal skills are sought-after skills in many fields. For instance, the U.S. is
experiencing a serious shortage of mental health professionals. Although some mental health
positions require a bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, others are also open to
individuals with a bachelor's degree in sociology or psychology.
Mary Neuburger
Director, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian StudiesUniversity of Texas at Austin
Slavic, Baltic And Albanian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Psychologist Research Assistant?
Mary Neuburger: Network as much as possible, online (LinkedIn or social media) and at events related to Russian studies or policy. These tend to be open to the public at most large er universities and some smaller. Attend, ask good questions, and introduce yourself to people. Make sure you highlight all of the skills you have gained on your CV-include projects in courses, extracurricular activities, study abroad etc.
What Psychologist Research Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mary Neuburger: Language skills are always important, as well as research skills, and experience working on team projects. I also think deep interdisciplinary knowledge of Russia and its sphere of influence will continue to be important, as well as teachnical skills and knowledge of the information environment-and especially disinformation. UT Austin has a new Global Disinformation Lab, in which study of Russian disinformation (among other things) is carried out.
Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT
Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Fairfield UniversityFairfield University
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
What will help Psychologist Research Assistants increase their earning potential?
Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT: -Pursue a master's degree in a more specific human development related field. Do your research-look for reputable programs in areas with earning potential post-grad.
Dr. Lindsey Harvell-Bowman
Associate ProfessorJames Madison University
School of Communication Studies
What skills stand out on Psychologist Research Assistant resumes?
Dr. Lindsey Harvell-Bowman: The skills that most stand out to me when I'm interviewing potential research assistant candidates are statistical skills and their knowledge of experimental design methods.
What soft skills should all Psychologist Research Assistants possess?
Dr. Lindsey Harvell-Bowman: Communication is key. Without good communication skills, research assistants will not last long. I specifically look for the ability to interact well with others interpersonally, as well as the ability to present our research findings in an engaging and upbeat way. Critical thinking is also key.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Psychologist Research Assistants?
Dr. Lindsey Harvell-Bowman: Research assistants in our lab must have strong statistical skills and presentational skills. Specifically, the ability to manage SPSS.
What skills will help Psychologist Research Assistants earn the most?
Dr. Lindsey Harvell-Bowman: Having a strong background in statistical analysis will make you invaluable to any analytics department in the corporate world.
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSeattle University
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
What skills stand out on Psychologist Research Assistant resumes?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Understanding human diversity, Difference is viewed not as an obstacle but as an opportunity for generating new ideas, etc.
What soft skills should all Psychologist Research Assistants possess?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Understanding human diversity, effective communication (speaking and writing: the ability to convey complex ideas respectfully to a diverse audience) across differences, adept at working in groups, yet also independent thinkers.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Psychologist Research Assistants?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Empirical data collection: Research skills for collecting original data, analyzing the data, writing up the information collected, and presenting it in a professional manner.
What skills will help Psychologist Research Assistants earn the most?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Anthropologists are analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who have the ability to collect, manage, evaluate, and interpret large volumes of data on human behavior.
What's a day at work look like for a Psychologist Research Assistant?
Shelly Lesher: I don't see this changing much. Since most of our students are involved in hands-on work, they will be required to work in a laboratory of some sort. It will probably be masked and distanced but the same as pre-pandemic. I am concerned graduates will receive less training for this reason making their positions more frustrating at first.
What technical skills for a Psychologist Research Assistant stand out to employers?
Shelly Lesher: Employers value our graduates for their ability to independently solve complex problems, whether in or out of the lab. This skill has not and will not change regardless of instructional mode.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Psychologist Research Assistants?
Shiri Noy Ph.D.: This is of course field dependent. Denison University and we focus on teaching our students how to carefully and critically engage with ideas and information in context: whether that's theoretical, conceptual, or substantive. In my experience when I talk to potential employers of my students as a recommender they are interested in students' interpersonal skills, independent thinking, and research skills. Knowing how to collect, systematize, and analyze data, whether that be archival documents, statistical datasets, or interview data, for example, is something that is very appealing to employers. We are bombarded by information and have trained our brains to value novelty (think constant notifications and scrolling!) but having employees that can distinguish patterns and highlight key issues is highly prized. Equally important are interpersonal skills, and knowing how to learn. New jobs always come with new challenges and opportunities, having students that are open to learning, and that know themselves and can utilize the resources around them, primarily their community, peers, and supervisors, to deepen their learning is equally important in my experience. Central to this is communication and awareness: you need to know how to communicate your questions, insights, and needs--this facilitates the best processes and outcomes!
What soft skills should all Psychologist Research Assistants possess?
Shiri Noy Ph.D.: I am not particularly fond of the term "soft skills" since it's often gendered and I think in a lot of ways is not easily distinguishable from so-called "hard" or technical skills. However, I think that what people mean when they talk about soft skills is deeply important: communication, time management, organization, teamwork, approaches to problem-solving, etc. This affects not just how effectively you can use your "hard" skills, but also about communicating your work and ideas to your peers and supervisors. What good is technical knowledge if you don't know how to approach a problem critically, from diverse vantages, and while being open to feedback and others' ideas when you hit a dead end? In this way, and especially in today's world, I think patience and communication are key. With a liberal arts education our Denison University students are used to having to approach a topic from different lenses and perspectives, and work and learn from diverse peers, Professors, and community members. In this way, they have experience with clearly communicating their ideas but also with different ways of thinking about and approaching both practical and theoretical problems. No one will know every technology, system, and skill they will encounter in their first job, so what's most important is knowing how to learn--this means knowing yourself but also knowing how to ask for help, communicate challenges, and be willing to adapt!
Sara Church
Lecturer of PsychologySaint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Psychologist Research Assistants?
Sara Church: Absolutely, yes. We may not even know all the ways this pandemic will impact graduates professionally and personally. Students have experienced tremendous stress because of this pandemic. Classes have gone virtual, loved ones or they themselves have gotten sick, some are battling anxiety and depression-all the while they are trying to complete their coursework and stay engaged. I think it's important for us to acknowledge that along with this collective traumatic experience has come some incredible resilience. Graduates will have become flexible and adaptable; they will be ready to use technology in the field. Also, empathy! There is a depth of compassion for others that comes from living this together.
I will also say that qualified helping professionals are needed now more than ever. Counselor caseloads are packed, and people are reaching out for help at high rates. People were universally stressed before this pandemic happened. This sent some people over the edge and straight to their local therapist. We are working to get our psychology and human services students ready to make an immediate impact in this field.
What type of skills will young Psychologist Research Assistants need?
Sara Church: Young graduates should be thinking about trauma competency that includes somatic approaches. Somatic approaches include a person's mind AND body, which is so important when treating stress of any kind. Young graduates also need self-awareness. Young graduates need to know how to interview! They should set up mock interviews to practice. Interviews are important in our field, because the interviewer is getting a feel for what the person would be like in a helping relationship. They need to be well versed in professionalism and be able to set healthy boundaries within their work. Finally, they need to be culturally responsive and open to learning. This field is broad and can act as one, big difficult conversation. Conversations about differences-about behaviors, about people, about groups and institutions. They need to be ready to have these. SMWC has been very intentional about setting their students up for success in this way.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychologist Research Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Terrance MacMullan Ph.D.: I am not a market analyst, but my informal sense is that industries like hotels and restaurants will continue to be severely depressed by the pandemic, but others such a grocery stores, storage and logistics will continue to expand. I think that once we get the "all clear" some time in later Summer/early fall of 2021, we will see a slow but steady job growth across just about all sectors with a huge boom in the hardest hit markets, like entertainment and restaurants. The pandemic would seem to have accelerated the Boomers' 50-year dominance in the job market making room for younger workers to finally increase their suppressed wages.
What Psychologist Research Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Terrance MacMullan Ph.D.: I took a gap year after college. When I started undergrad I wanted to be a lawyer. I majored in philosophy (which, contrary to misconceptions, is the single best performing major for graduate school placement tests like the GRE or LSAT and have much higher-than-average employment rates and salaries after 10 years) to prepare me for law school. Then my dad got cancer and died after a terrible 6-month fight. In my last few conversations with him, he told me not to do what everyone else expects me to do and to instead create a life that is meaningful. I sent rejection letters back to the law schools that had accepted me (nearly giving my poor mother a heart-attack!) and then waited tables in D.C. for a year while I researched PhD programs in Philosophy and applied to schools that interested me. Seven years later I got the job that I have grown into over the last 20 years teaching philosophy at a regional state university. I would have made more money as a lawyer. I doubt I would have been as fulfilled. I would not have had the time to readjust my trajectory without that gap year.
So to answer your question, I would tell students to feel free to take a gap year if they are anything less than absolutely committed to clear path towards a life that holds meaning for them. If they take a gap year I would encourage them to do whatever they can to not incur pointless debt. I would then encourage them to look at a gap year not so much as a year to develop skills so much as a year to take stock of what they want to become. If that is to work in a particular industry, then find people 5 or 10 years ahead of you in that industry and ask them their advice. Finally, I think we, as a civilization, are returning to older ways of understanding ourselves. The idea that a person is just a vessel for marketable skills and that a human being's purpose is to sell themselves on a labor market is a very, very recent one. It is also unsustainable, both in terms of the environment and the fact that productivity has become detached from wages, so that now the overwhelming majority of people are working more but making less in terms of spending power. Younger people will have to live in a world that is witnessing the shortcomings of globalization's promise that never came to pass and an environment that is crumbling under the weight of a consumer-focused civilization. They will need to figure out new ways to live, not just fit themselves into a waning system. So they should use that gap year to figure out what kind of person they want to be and what kind of world they want to live in and find a way to make it come to pass.
What general advice would you give to a Psychologist Research Assistant?
Terrance MacMullan Ph.D.: On the practical level, don't incur meaningless debt! If you start a degree, commit to finishing it no matter what! Even if you don't get a job in that field, studies consistently show that degrees offer a good ROI over time, but only if the debt results in a degree!
On a personal level, realize that not every generation (or person, or race, or gender) has the same opportunities, and Millennials and Gen-Zs pretty much drew the short straw in terms of generations. In the 1950's and 1960's a year's worth of tuition could be covered by flipping burgers for a summer. If you tried that now, you'd have to flip burgers for a decade to save up enough for college! When Boomers were young, they benefited from public spending on services at the highest rate in human history. Wages were so high they could often buy a house after high school! As you know, the world is radically different now. So don't get down on yourself. Don't measure yourself according to older generations. And don't think that your purpose in life is to work for the sake of working for someone else. Money is important, but only as a means to some other end. If you don't know what that end is, you will never be happy. We are meant to work, but in ways and towards purposes that are meaningful. So you aren't starting your career: you are continuing your life. You will be able to work harder and with greater rewards if you find (or make) work that pulls you in, rather than work you need to push yourself to do.
Dr. Christopher Nygren Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Pittsburgh
History of Art and Architecture Department
What skills stand out on Psychologist Research Assistant resumes?
Dr. Christopher Nygren Ph.D.: I think that languages stand out. Foreign languages (and let me be clear that I include computer coding languages here) teach people to think in new ways. Mastering another language requires one not only to contort their tongue to produce different sounds, but also to bend their mind to understand a different mode of thinking, a different grammatical structure. Human thought is produced according to a stunning variety of grammatical structures and being able to think beyond the one you grew up with is, I believe, one of the keys to creativity.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychologist Research Assistants to find work opportunities?
Dr. Christopher Nygren Ph.D.: Med/Ren is focused mostly where there is a high concentration of museums, universities, and libraries. This means urban center, mostly (though not exclusively) on the coasts. Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and other historic cities in the center of the country have a ton to offer. There are also major centers for Med/Ren in some unexpected places like Kalamazoo, MI; South Bend, IN; and Sewanee, TN.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychologist Research Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Emma Trentman Ph.D.: I think the individualized, gig economy will become even more prevalent.
What skills stand out on Psychologist Research Assistant resumes?
Emma Trentman Ph.D.: Communication (especially in multilingual settings), innovation, and flexibility--these are often hard to commodify as skills, so it is important for employers and prospective employees to understand the many ways in which they can be demonstrated.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychologist Research Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Brian Wygal: For students graduating in the next few years, the pandemic has clearly altered the job market and will further shift research and priorities of companies, governments, and our society. Public health, and similar specializations like medical anthropology, will obviously in high demand. Likewise, we are entering a period of racial reckoning so employers will be looking to create "anti-racist" institutions and workspaces. Students with a background in the social sciences, including anthropology, already know the importance of fostering and supporting cultural and biological diversity. The difficulty will also be translating those skills into a narrative prospective employers understand. They want to know, what will you bring to their table.
Your skills should be useful in HR departments, research and development, state and local governments, and many other sectors of our economy. The secret is, find those entry level positions, volunteer, and network so that you can better learn what types of jobs you qualify for and would enjoy. Remember that most opportunities are not labeled specifically for "anthropologists", so you need to find these spaces and figure out how the employer can benefit from the skills you have. That includes an ability to research, analyze, think critically, and write articulately. Skills that are still in high demand and not easily replaced by robots or computers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychologist Research Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Michael Krysko: Graduate Students: When it comes to graduate education, references to the job market often means the academic job market. Here, I believe the pandemic accelerated existing trends: severe budgetary pressures, especially at state institutions, contributed to a decline in the number of tenure-track positions with many programs choosing to rely more heavily on more poorly compensated adjunct and term instructors, who often teach more for less pay and benefits. The pandemic, of course, has compounded and intensified the existing and already severe fiscal woes at so many colleges and universities (including at my own institution), and I would only expect a continuation and acceleration of that trend. Indeed, given that the pandemic has also had the effect of depressing enrollments, I would assume that even as tenure-track positions are eliminated there will also be fewer adjunct and term instructor positions to be filled as well. None of this is specific to those focusing on topics with an international relations element, though, but certainly applies to such students.
Undergraduates: I am not really in a position to speak about trends in the job market given the pandemic as it pertains to our undergraduates for two reasons. 1) Our undergraduates are not separated out by interest in international relations vs other areas of interest; 2) undergraduate history majors are not necessarily pigeon-holed into select markets. The advice I give to incoming students is that the history degree is not just one for teaching history/social studies and that the skillset of critical thinking, analytical writing, and argumentation based on evidence are skills that apply to any number of jobs and professions. I often point them to a piece published by the American Historical Association in 2017 called "History is not a Useless Major" (Historians!), which shows the wide array of positions and professions history majors get after graduation in which teaching positions are not necessarily the dominant landing spot, but that history majors have great success in landing positions in business, management, and the law (to name a few). Once again, this is not specific to undergraduates who might be interested in international relations type topics. Positions for historians/analysts in the State Department, Defense Department or Central Intelligence Agency are also options I have long suggested to students, and would continue to do so going forward in our pandemic world. To the extent that reports of career officers in these agencies have been demoralized and left their jobs during the previous presidential administration are valid, one might speculate that such positions could become available offer viable landing spot for recent graduates as a new administration takes over (pure speculation on my part, as I have no numbers on hand about how many people left and what effect that might have on filling new entry level positions).
What Psychologist Research Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Krysko: I'm not sure how well I can answer this question with regard to history graduates with an interest in International relations. If we are talking about a gap year between undergraduate and graduate education, entrance into the history program would still be highly contingent on the undergraduate record reflected on the transcripts, writing samples, and letters of recommendations included in an application.One of the most important skills needed to complete a Masters thesis or doctoral is clear writing underpinned by strong analytical thinking. I can't think of many "gap year" type jobs that would showcase that type of skill development to enhance one's application to graduate school. I suppose a stint in the Peace Corps (or Americorps) would certainly look good on an application (and maybe it would help make a difference pushing an applicant over the top if their application was on the "bubble"). But this would be the case regardless of the pandemic (and regardless of whether the student was interested in international relations or anything other area of history).
What general advice would you give to a Psychologist Research Assistant?
Michael Krysko: A History degree gives you options and flexibility. This is not specific to those with an interest in International relations, but certainly does apply to that group as well as others. I'd again reference the 2017 piece "History is not a useless major" to note the wide range of career choices a historian can take advantage of. While the pre-pandemic data indicated that a history major is not likely going to have you earning six figures before age 30, over the course of a lifetime the earning potential compares favorably with many other majors. I don't expect that will change moving forward, even though employment options might be depressed presently. For undergraduates earning a history degree, it's a great stepping stone degree to earn admission into graduate school in other related fields that will continue to hire (for example, law and journalism). Perhaps most importantly, as documented by the aforementioned article, a history major prepares one for careers in public service (i.e., such as the government jobs noted above), and such a career would seemingly be very appealing to those with the interest in international relations that started our email exchange.
What Psychologist Research Assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hansjakob Werlen Ph.D.: While the pandemic makes living abroad to perfect one's language skills in a gap year very difficult, it is not impossible to increase linguistic and cultural skills. Various technologies allow live contact with native speakers eager to exchange language learning with English speakers or to become conversation partners. Students can change all digital settings to the target language and watch news, TV series, and films in the original language.
What general advice would you give to a Psychologist Research Assistant?
Hansjakob Werlen Ph.D.: If your degree is not in a particular high-demand field, such as computer science or organic chemistry, consider positions that, while not exactly matching the field of your degree (e.g. in management, health care), provide job opportunities where strong language and writing skills are in demand while the specifics of the position can be learned. Make full use of the advantage your fluency in a foreign language gives you. Even a cursory look at job advertisements by German international companies shows that verbal and written knowledge of German is a prerequisite for being hired.
Verónica Gutiérrez Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Research, Director of Bridge and Launch Programs, Associate Professor of Latin American HistoryAzusa Pacific University
Department of History and Political Science
What skills stand out on Psychologist Research Assistant resumes?
Verónica Gutiérrez Ph.D.: I urge my students never to underestimate the power of a beautiful, perfectly formatted resume or C.V. The document itself can testify to the applicant's creativity, organizational and analytical skills, as well as demonstrate the precision of one's prose. As for skills listed on the document, I would think that experience with online platforms and the ability to collaborate virtually with someone the applicant has not met in person--and might never meet--would be appealing, given the new reality of remote work environments. Specific skills history majors possess that would stand out on a resume would be the ability to critically analyze conflicting accounts, to approach moments in time from a long, historical view, to bear in mind historical context at all times, to consider diverse perspectives, and to remain culturally sensitive in a globalized world.
What skills stand out on Psychologist Research Assistant resumes?
Dr. Jelena Sanchez Ph.D.: Currently, multilingual skills shine bright in resumes. Finally, the pandemic reality will validate the global currency of languages.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Psychologist Research Assistants to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jelena Sanchez Ph.D.: The pandemic has blurred geographical boundaries. A successful bilingual graduate today will find access to the global employment from their computer at home anywhere in the world.
What general advice would you give to a Psychologist Research Assistant?
Matthew Wright Ph.D.: Network Network Network. Keep contact with people on LinkedIn, attend conferences, put yourself out there!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Psychologist Research Assistant job market given the pandemic?
Matthew Wright Ph.D.: I would recommend that students leaving college feel comfortable learning advanced skills on a computer/technology. For example, can you pick up a new programming language quickly?